Systematic study of the structure-property relationship of a series of ferrocenyl nonlinear optical chromophores

A series of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores 1-4 incorporating the ferrocenyl (Fc) group as an electron donor and 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4-methyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) derivatives as electron acceptors are presented. The use of a constant Fc donor and varied acceptors and bridges makes it possible to systematically determine the contribution of the conjugated bridge and the acceptor strength to chromophore nonlinear optical activity. The X-ray crystal structures of all four chromophores allow for the systematic investigation of the structure-property relationship for this class of molecules. For example, the crystal structures reveal that both cyclopentadienyl groups in the ferrocenyl donor contribute to the electron donating ability. The first-order hyperpolarizabilities beta of these chromophores, measured by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) relative to p-nitroaniline are reported. These beta values are compared to those calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental beta values demonstrates that a linear relation exists between the hyperpolarizability and the bond length alternation. An electrooptic coefficient, r(33), of approximately 25 pm/V at 1300 nm, for compound 4, incorporated into a polymer matrix, is competitive with organic chromophores. Moreover, this r(33) is more than 30 times larger than the previously reported value for an organometallic chromophore in a poled polymer matrix. This work not only underscores the potential for Fc donor moieties, which have been underutilized, but also demonstrates that experimental characterization and theoretical simulations are now congruent, viable methods for assessing potential performance of NLO materials.     

Modeling the Effects of Primary Radicals in Free‐Radical Polymerization

The effects of non‐ideal initiator decomposition, i.e., decomposition into two primary radicals of different reactivity toward the monomer, and of primary radical termination, on the kinetics of steady‐state free‐radical polymerization are considered. Analytical expressions for the exponent n in the power‐law dependence of polymerization rate on initiation rate are derived for these two situations. Theory predicts that n should be below the classical value of 1/2. In the case of non‐ideal initiator decomposition, n decreases with the size of the dimensionless parameter α ≡ (k_tz /k_dz) √r_ink_t, where k_tz is the termination rate coefficient for the reaction of a non‐propagating primary radical with a macroradical, k_dz is the first‐order decomposition rate coefficient of non‐propagating (passive) radicals, r_in is initiation rate, and k_t is the termination rate coefficient of two active radicals. In the case of primary radical termination, n decreases with the size of the dimensionless parameter β ≡ k_t,s r_in^1/2/k_p,s M r_t,l^1/2, where k_t,s is the termination rate coefficients for the reaction of a primary (“short”) radical with a macroradical, k_t,l is the termination rate coefficients of two large radicals, k_p,s is the propagation rate coefficient of primary radicals and M is monomer concentration. As k_t is deduced from coupled parameters such as k_t /k_p, the dependence of k_p on chain length is also briefly discussed. This dependence is particularly pronounced at small chain lengths. Moreover, effects of chain transfer to monomer on n are discussed.     

ZrIV‐ und TaV‐Komplexe mit methanoverbrückten Bis(aryloxy)‐Liganden

Zr^IV and Ta^V Complexes with Methano‐Bridged Bis(aryloxy) Ligands The bis(aryloxy) ligand precursor compounds bis(2‐trimethylsiloxy‐5‐tbutylphenyl)methane (L–SiMe₃) and its bromoderivative (2‐trimethylsiloxy‐3‐bromo‐5‐tbutylphenyl)(2′‐trimethylsiloxy‐5′‐tbutylphenyl)methane (L^Br–SiMe₃) are prepared in analogy to the corresponding calixarenes in excellent yields. X‐ray structure analysis for L^Br–SiMe₃: space group P2₁/c, a = 12.462(7), b = 10.466(6), c = 23.315(14) Å, β = 105.02(4)°, V = 2937(3) ų, Z = 4. L–SiMe₃ and L^Br–SiMe₃ react with Zr^IV and Ta^V chlorides in very good yields forming di‐ and trinuclear complexes. From the reaction of CpZrCl₃ with L^Br–SiMe₃ in the ratio of 3 : 2 a Zr₃ complex ( 7 ) is obtained, with one L^Br ligand only, which Zr atoms are bridged by a μ₃‐oxygen. The X‐ray structure analysis of 7 (space group R 3, a = 33.23(6), c = 24.47(8) Å, V = 23405(128) ų, Z = 18) additionally reveals that one phenolato oxygen atom of the L^Br ligand is terminally bound to a distorted tetragonal‐pyramidal coordinated Zr atom, while the second phenolato oxygen atom of the L^Br ligand forms a bridge to another Zr atom with a distorted octahedral coordination. The third Zr atom is also found in a distorted octahedral coordination mode. The reactions of L–SiMe₃ and L^Br–SiMe₃ with CpTaCl₄ and TaCl₅ yield dinuclear Ta complexes with a bridging bis(aryloxy) ligand. NMR spectroscopic data point out that the coordination of the bis(aryloxy) ligands in the Ta complexes very much resembles that in the Zr₃‐complex with one terminal and one bridging phenolato oxygen atom. The Zr₃ and the Ta complexes L^BrTa₂Cp₂Cl₆ and LTa₂Cl₈ were tested with respect to their catalytic properties in olefin polymerisation reactions in the presence of MAO.     

Syndiotactic polypropene with MCM‐41 supported metallocene [Me2C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrCl2

Mesoporous aluminosilicates – type MCM‐41 – were used as carriers for syndiospecific propene polymerisation using [Me₂C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrCl₂/MAO as catalyst. Alumina‐free mesoporous MCM‐41 reveals a far greater polymerisation activity than the analogous carrier containing alumina. The use of MCM‐41 as carrier material at low propene concentration and high polymerisation temperature produces syndiotactic polypropene (sPP) with higher syndiotacticity and higher melting points than achieved when using a homogenous system or a supported system based on spherical SiO₂.     

Impact parameter dependence of the probability for K-shell ionization by nuclei

The probability W for the atomic ionization by nuclei as a function of the impact parameter x is expressed through the ionization matrix element M_if. Values of W(x) for K-shell ionization calculated with the first Born M_if are compared with the experimental data and other calculations.     

Surface effects in controlled thermonuclear fusion

The US. fusion power development program is aimed at the first significant production of fusion power on an experimental scale in the early 1980's, and at a demonstration of the commercial production of fusion power between 1995 and 1997, according to a status report by Robert L. Hirsch.¹ In order to achieve this god, four major concepts are being pursued in the U.S. at this time. Three concepts use magnetic fields to confine a plasma for either pulsed or steady-state operation: the tokamak, theta-pinch, and mirror devices. The fourth concept is laser fusion, which utilizes inertia to hold a plasma for a very short period of time (<10^?9 sec).     

Steric and electronic control over the reactivity of a thiolate-ligated Fe(II) complex with dioxygen and superoxide: reversible mu-oxo dimer formation

The reactivity between a thiolate-ligated five-coordinate complex [FeII(SMe2N4(tren))]+ (1) and dioxygen is examined in order to determine if O2 activation, resembling that of the metalloenzyme cytochrome P450, can be promoted even when O2 binds cis, as opposed to trans, to a thiolate. Previous work in our group showed that [FeII(SMe2N4(tren))]+ (1) reacts readily with superoxide (O2-) in the presence of a proton source to afford H2O2 via an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate, thus providing a biomimetic model for the metalloenzyme superoxide reductase (SOR). Addition of O2 to 1 affords binuclear mu-oxo-bridged [FeIII(SMe2N4(tren))]2(mu2-O)(PF6)2.3MeCN (3). At low temperatures, in protic solvents, an intermediate is detected, the details of which will be the subject of a separate paper. Although the thiolate ligand does not appear to perturb the metrical parameters of the unsupported mu-oxo bridge (Fe-O= 1.807(8) A, and Fe-O-Fe= 155.3(5) degrees fall in the usual range), it decreases the magnetic coupling between the irons (J=-28 cm(-1)) and creates a rather basic oxo site. Protonation of this oxo using strong (HBF4, HCl) or weak (HOAc, NH4PF6, LutNHCl) acids results in bridge cleavage to cleanly afford the corresponding monomeric anion-ligated (OAc- (6), or Cl- (7)) or solvent-ligated (MeCN (4)) derivatives. Addition of OH- converts [FeIII(SMe2N4(tren))(MeCN2+ (4) back to mu-oxo 3. Thus, mu-oxo bridge cleavage is reversible. The protonated mu-hydroxo-bridged intermediate is not observed. In an attempt to prevent mu-oxo dimer formation, and facilitate the observation of O2-bound intermediates, a bulkier tertiary amine ligand, tren-Et4= N-(2-amino-ethyl)-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-N',N'-diethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine, and the corresponding [FeII(SMe2N4(tren-Et4))]+ (5) complex was synthesized and structurally characterized. Steric repulsive interactions create unusually long FeII-N(3,4) amine bonds in 5 (mean distance=2.219(1) A). The [(tren-Et4)N4SMe2]1- ligand is unable to accommodate iron in the +3 oxidation state, and consequently, in contrast to most thiolate-ligated Fe(II) complexes, [FeII(SMe2N4(tren-Et4))]+ (5) does not readily react with O2. Oxidation of 5 is irreversible, and the potential (Epa=+410 mV (vs SCE)) is anodically shifted relative to 1 (E1/2=-100 mV (vs SCE)).